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Homeless Education

About Homeless Education

Definition of Homeless Children and Youth

Any displaced child or youth who is living in a shelter, motel, inadequate trailer or house, is staying temporarily with relatives or friends due to economic hardship or loss of housing, or is living in any other homeless situation has educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Act.

Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015
Important Changes for McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program

On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). ESSA strengthens ESEA in notable ways, including new provisions related to the education of homeless children and youth.

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, includes changes to strengthen and improve the education of over 1.3 million children and youth experiencing homelessness, from early childhood through high school graduation. It incorporates best practices from states and school districts across the country to increase the identification, enrollment, stability, and school success of children and youth experiencing homelessness. ESSA increases resources for homeless students by expanding the availability and use of Title IA funds, and by raising the authorized funding level for the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program. Please use the following link for a summary of the major amendments on homelessness in The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.

Between now and when ESSA goes into effect (Timeline for Implementation), CDE will be working to make available resources and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education that reflect changes made by ESSA.